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Breaking the coffee addiction

For over 30 years, I've been putting on a fresh pot of mud every morning and slurping down 3-4 mugs of hot Joe to get the party started. Over time, it because more necessity than pleasure...no way I could hit my morning workout without that blast of caffeine.

Coffee was also a staple ingredient in my social life. I don't consume alcohol, but the local coffee shop is always part of master competitor's fun time. Reading, conversation and that hot cup of black liquid.

I made some changes over the past several weeks. Based on blood pressure issues and overall health, I knocked coffee out of my diet. The addiction ran strong so I came at it by mixing 75/25 beans (25% decaf), then 50/50 and finally 25/75. That last ratio was barely worth the trouble, so starting yesterday I transitioned to Yerba Mate tea in the morning. It does have caffeine content but at a much reduced level to java.

The Yerba Mate makes for a much different perspective on the day. I had two large cups and then drove south an hour to Marion, NC for the Tour de Lure 70 mile bike tour (more on that soon). Yerba Mate makes for a slow burn entry into the day. It's there as a physical motivator, but not in a hard blast way. Just simply easing the engine into drive and gently pressing down on the accelerator.

It's Sunday morning before church and I'm into my second day - and second cup on the day - of Yerba Mate. What I'm promoting in this post is that long-term habits can be modified and changed and life will proceed in a positive fashion.

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